IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a neighbourhood café you like to visit: IELTS cue card with sample answer

An IELTS cue card for Speaking Part 2 with a Band 8 sample answer, the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and the Part 3 follow-up questions the examiner can ask next.
  • 255 words
  • A place
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe a neighbourhood café you like to visit

You should say:

  • →where this café is located
  • →how often you go there
  • →what you usually do or order there
  • →and explain why you prefer this place over other venues for socialising

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

A place

How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan

  1. 1

    Note down the café's location and specific sensory details like lighting and seating.

  2. 2

    List a couple of typical activities and favourite menu items to ensure fluent elaboration.

  3. 3

    Jot down two clear contrasting points explaining why it beats louder commercial chains.

Model answer

Band 8 sample answer

Band 8255 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about a cosy little coffee shop called The Corner Pantry, which is tucked away in a quiet side street just a short walk from my flat. It is an independent place run by a local family, situated right in the heart of my neighbourhood, just far enough from the main high street to avoid the chaotic crowds.

I tend to pop in there at least once or twice a week, usually on a Saturday morning or after work on a Thursday when I want to catch up with a couple of close mates. The atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed, with warm lighting, rustic wooden tables, and soft jazz playing in the background. When we visit, I almost always order a flat white along with a slice of their homemade carrot cake, which is honestly second to none. We usually end up staying for a couple of hours, chatting about our week, planning holidays, or occasionally playing board games that they keep on a shelf by the counter.

What makes this café stand out from other venues, like noisy pubs or generic chain coffee houses, is its welcoming vibe and personal touch. The staff genuinely recognise regulars, so you never feel rushed to finish your drink and leave. On top of that, because it is relatively quiet, you can actually hear each other speak without having to shout over loud music. It really feels like an extension of my living room, making it the perfect spot to unwind and have meaningful conversations.

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8 words

Useful vocabulary for this cue card

  • tucked away

    hidden or situated in a quiet, secluded place

  • pop in

    to visit somewhere briefly or casually

  • mates

    friends (informal British term)

  • second to none

    better than all others; the best

  • generic chain

    a standard commercial brand lacking unique character

  • personal touch

    an original or caring quality showing individual attention

  • unwind

    to relax after a period of work or tension

  • an extension of

    something that feels like a natural continuation or part of another

5 questions

Part 3 follow-up questions

  1. 1How have the types of places where people socialise changed over recent decades?
  2. 2Why do some people prefer gathering in public venues rather than hosting at home?
  3. 3What impact does the decline of independent local businesses have on neighbourhoods?
  4. 4What are the advantages and drawbacks of working remotely from coffee shops?
  5. 5Do you think virtual spaces will completely replace physical social hubs in the future?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: social spaces and modern community life.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a neighbourhood café you like to visit"?+

Note down the café's location and specific sensory details like lighting and seating.

How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+

You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

How is the cue card scored?+

Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.

Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

Keep practising

More cue cards: a place

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